AFP, Sydney :
American three-time Olympic gold medallist Tracy Stockwell was appointed head of Swimming Australia Saturday, replacing departing former distance great Kieren Perkins.
The 59-year-old — also a five-time world champion — inherits the job just weeks after the governing body unreservedly apologised for the way women had been treated in the sport.
It followed an independent probe established last year to investigate issues relating to women and girls triggered by claims of abuse and a culture of misogyny in Australian swimming.
She takes the reins with her focus on the 2032 Olympic Games on home soil in Brisbane.
“Swimming has played such an important role in my life, and I feel privileged to take on a role that will empower me to give something back to the sport that has provided me with so many opportunities,” she said.
